What year Scion XB should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA data, 2006, 2008, and 2009 are the XB years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80, 100, and 90 respectively. The 2008 model year has the most complaints (339) and the most recalls (8).

What is the best year for the Scion XB?

The 2014 and 2015 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20 and only 9 and 6 total complaints reported to NHTSA.

Does the Scion XB have airbag recalls?

Yes. Multiple recall campaigns, including ones reported in 2016, 2017, and 2019, cover airbag inflators on XB model years from 2008 through 2013. Airbags are the top overall problem area, accounting for 332 of 1,009 total complaints (33 percent).

Are Scion XB airbags a common complaint?

Yes, airbags are the single largest problem area across all XB years, representing 332 of 1,009 total complaints, or 33 percent, with the 2008 and 2009 model years most affected.

How many recalls does the Scion XB have overall?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns across the 2005-2015 Scion XB, with the 2009 model year alone tied to 10 of those campaigns.

Scion XB Best and Worst Years (2005–2015)

Across 1,009 complaints and 15 recall campaigns spanning 2005-2015, the 2008 Scion XB ranks worst with a complaint index of 100, followed by 2009 (90) and 2006 (80). The 2014 and 2015 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006 Avoid 2008 Avoid 2009 Best 2014 Best 2015

Model years: 11; 2005–2015
NHTSA complaints: 1,009
Recall campaigns: 15
Crashes reported: 94
Fires reported: 21
Top problem area: Airbags

XB Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Scion XB problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Caution	70	92	15	1	1	Structure & Body	28.5	—
2006	Avoid	80	253	18	0	5	Visibility & Wipers	28	—
2007	No verdict	10	3	1	0	3	Airbags	—	—
2008	Avoid	100	339	30	7	8	Airbags	24	—
2009	Avoid	90	140	12	5	10	Airbags	24	—
2010	Caution	60	55	4	1	7	Airbags	24	—
2011	Caution	50	54	4	1	5	Airbags	24	—
2012	Good	40	45	5	3	3	Airbags	24	—
2013	Good	30	13	2	2	2	Electrical System	24	—
2014	Best	0	9	1	0	2	Airbags	24	—
2015	Best	20	6	2	1	2	Brakes	24	—

XB years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Scion XB Index 100 · 339 complaints · 8 recalls

The 2008 XB has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, based on 339 complaints, 30 crashes, and 7 fires. Airbags were the top problem area at 39 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 94,500. Engine problems followed at 17 percent. NHTSA lists eight recall campaigns for this year, several involving airbag inflators. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, electrical fires starting from the dashboard, and sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds.

2008 airbags problems →2008 engine problems →2008 brakes problems →

2009 Scion XB Index 90 · 140 complaints · 10 recalls

The 2009 XB carries a complaint index of 90 across 140 complaints, with one reported death and 16 injuries. Airbags made up 53 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 88,000, while Engine issues accounted for 24 percent at a median of 95,000 miles. NHTSA lists ten recall campaigns tied to this model year, more than any other XB year, mostly airbag-related. Owners described airbags not deploying in low-speed crashes and repeated episodes of sudden unintended acceleration below 30 mph.

2009 airbags problems →2009 engine problems →2009 brakes problems →

2006 Scion XB Index 80 · 253 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2006 XB logged 253 complaints, the second-highest total in the lineup, earning a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. Visibility & Wipers issues dominated, making up 58 percent of complaints for the year with a median failure mileage of 20,000 miles. Engine and Structure & Body problems each accounted for about 13 percent of reports. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this model year, including tire-label compliance issues. Owners also reported steering columns freezing during turns and delayed brake response, sometimes leading to low-speed collisions.

2006 visibility & wipers problems →2006 engine problems →2006 structure & body problems →

Most common Scion XB problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags332 (33%)
Visibility & Wipers215 (21%)
Engine182 (18%)
Structure & Body106 (11%)
Brakes102 (10%)
Electrical System87 (9%)
Steering47 (5%)
Other40 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (3%)
Transmission & Powertrain19 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Scion XB should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA data, 2006, 2008, and 2009 are the XB years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80, 100, and 90 respectively. The 2008 model year has the most complaints (339) and the most recalls (8).
What is the best year for the Scion XB?: The 2014 and 2015 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20 and only 9 and 6 total complaints reported to NHTSA.
Does the Scion XB have airbag recalls?: Yes. Multiple recall campaigns, including ones reported in 2016, 2017, and 2019, cover airbag inflators on XB model years from 2008 through 2013. Airbags are the top overall problem area, accounting for 332 of 1,009 total complaints (33 percent).
Are Scion XB airbags a common complaint?: Yes, airbags are the single largest problem area across all XB years, representing 332 of 1,009 total complaints, or 33 percent, with the 2008 and 2009 model years most affected.
How many recalls does the Scion XB have overall?: NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns across the 2005-2015 Scion XB, with the 2009 model year alone tied to 10 of those campaigns.